Charles Guilfoyle Doran

Charles Guilfoyle Doran (1835–1909) was a leading figure in the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) and the Fenian Brotherhood in Ireland from the middle of the 19th century. He was also Clerk of Works on the construction of St. Colman's Cathedral in Cobh, County Cork.

Early life Doran was born in Knockananna, County Wicklow, on 1 February 1835. While still a young boy Doran's family moved to Cobh (then known as Queenstown) where he grew up. After leaving school Doran trained as a civil engineer and in 1866 he was employed by the architects E.W. Pugin and George Ashlin as Clerk of Works to oversee the construction of St. Colman's Cathedral in his adopted hometown. Completion of the cathedral was to continue throughout his lifetime.

Irish revolutionary Influenced by Irish republican historical figures, especially Wolfe Tone, Doran was a founding member of the United Brethren of St. Patrick which organised the funeral of the nationalist and Fenian Terence MacManus who had led the Young Ireland rebellion of 1848. This led Doran into closer contact with militant separatists and into the Fenian Brotherhood and I.R.B. By the mid-1860s he had risen to be one of the leading figures in the movement. At the time of the Fenian Rising of 1867 Doran was second in command to General William Halpin.

After the abortive rising Doran fled to France, where he became acquainted with Patrice de MacMahon and with John Patrick Leonard (one of the most notable Irish residents in France). During the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/1871, he seems to have acted as a war correspondent.

Doran died in Cork city on 19 March 1909. He is buried at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Tory Top Road, Cork.